Waterfront Small Area Plan & Phase I Design Implementation

On January 21, 2012, the Alexandria City Council voted 5-2 to approve the Waterfront Small Area Plan. and Waterfront zoning changes. The Plan provides a framework for revitalizing Alexandria's waterfront through several means, including: incorporating Alexandria's history as a foundation for planning and design, expanding and enhancing public open spaces, improving public access and connectivity, promoting the waterfront as an arts and cultural destination, ensuring compatible development.

On February 25, 2012, City Council voted to approve the ordinance (No. 4749) to incorporate the Waterfront Small Area Plan into the City's Master Plan. A second ordinance required to implement the proposed waterfront zoning code was approved on March 16, 2013.

The following is additional information related to the W-1 zone text amendment:

Acting upon guidance from the City Council, City Manager Rashad M. Young requested that the Planning Commission initiate and consider a text amendment to the W-1 zone to implement the Waterfront Plan. The City Manager discusses the reasons for this action in a letter to the community. On March 5, 2013 the Planning Commission recommended approval of the W-1 zone text amendment to amend the W1 zone. Staff reports and presentations discussing the zoning text amendments are available on the Planning Commission's March 5, 2013 docket.

Waterfront Commission

The purpose of the
Alexandria Waterfront Commission is to advise the City Council and staff on issues related to Alexandria's historic Potomac River waterfront, and advise on implementation of the Waterfront Small Area Plan. The Commission is composed of 21 members representing a particular neighborhood, community organization, or City committee. The Commission was established by City Council on April 14, 2012, and replaces the Waterfront Committee, which was founded in 1989. The Commission meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 am at City Hall Room 2000, 301 King Street, unless otherwise indicated on the agenda. The public is welcome. For additional information, call 703.746.5500.

Planning Area & Goals

Waterfront plan area - The Waterfront Plan will cover the area from Jones Point Park (where the National Park Service has completed its planning) in the south to Daingerfield Island in the north; approximately, by Union Street (south of Queen Street) and Fairfax Street (north of Queen Street) to the west, and then Bashford Lane out to the George Washington Memorial Parkway north to Daingerfield Island.

Public Process

The passionate, broad, and high level of interest in this project throughout the Alexandria community has underscored the need for a public process that is as inclusive as possible. Throughout the process, City staff has engaged stakeholders through: